AN: FIRST OFF TO ALL MY USA peeps... HAPPY 4TH OF JULY tomorrow! ... ITS A BIG FAMILY DAY FULL OF BARBECUING, SWIMMING AND FIRE WORKS FOR ME...SO I'M POSTING THIS A DAY EARLIER THAN I HAD Planed! To everyone else... HAPPY Thursday!
FOR SMALL SNEAKS AND HAPPENINGS GOING ON WITH THE RIVER JOIN ME ON TWITTER AT ANATOMYOFGREYS1
I LOVED LOVED LOVED YOU RESPONSES TO CHAPTER 7. ABSOLUTELY-FANTASTIC! THANK YOU!
THIS IS NOT BETA APPROVED, SO TAKE IT EASY ON ME, I'M SURE THERE IS A TON OF MISTAKES.
Chapter 8
Walking down the crowded streets in Seattle, Arizona couldn't help but do a little sight seeing and window shopping. Never having the chance to explore the streets and shops when she was in town. Seeing a flyer for 'The Seattle Great Wheel' located on the board walk, she ripped it down from the pole it was attached to and stuck it in her purse, thinking it would be a great thing to do with Callie after a nice date. A date.. They hadn't even had their first date, and she was already planning future ones. Boy, she had it bad.
Walking by Tiffany & Co., her eyes caught sight of a shiny piece of jewelry. It was a stunning white gold heart necklace that screamed Calliope. Walking into the store, she had to get it for her girlfriend.
After making the purchase she decided to go to a few more shops to browse around and then pick up some dinner. Walking into a little deli, she grabbed a menu and took a seat to look it over.
About halfway through the menu, she noticed a figure standing close by. "Fancy meeting you here." The voice spoke
Looking up from the menu, Arizona smiled. "Teddy, what are you doing here?"
"Well, I'd say, the same thing you are doing here. I'm starving." Teddy said, giving Arizona a hug. "I hated that I missed you when you stopped by the clinic this afternoon..." She said sitting down beside Arizona. "...mama couldn't stop gushing about you and Calliope."
"Its Callie to you." Shaking her head at her mama, Arizona couldn't help but laugh at her mothers antics.
"So tell me when do I get to met this 'sex on a stick' you've been telling me about." Teddy asked, gesturing air quotes with a wink to the blonde. She was so exited for her best friend. It really broke her heart seeing Arizona so crushed since Tim's death. Now, Arizona was getting back to her old perky self again, and she loved it.
"Teddy." Arizona swatted at her best friend. "I don't know, she was suppose to come over today, but she got called into work." She said with a pout.
"Wow, Zona. Teddy said in a daze. She's really hooked you hasn't she."
"Hook, line and sinker Teds." She said putting her head in her hands. "I seen hear earlier for about thirty minutes. I just can't get enough of her. I miss her so much."
"Wow, your whipped already" Teddy laughed.
"I am not whipped Theodora." Arizona stated.
"Oh, yeah, yeah.. Whatever you say." Teddy says, standing up, and smacking the blonde on the back of the shoulder. "Now, come on, let's order some dinner and go finish unpacking your apartment.
Around forty-five minutes later the two friends were arm in arm, giggling like school girls, walking into Arizona's new home.
Seeing Arizona walk into that apartment with another women tore Callie's world apart. Tears started to trek down her face. She thought Arizona wanted her, she thought that they were really going somewhere. Why does this always happen? Why does she always fall for the wrong person. She thought Arizona was different. What happened between her lunch and now, that changed? She just brought her a flower, told her she wanted to show how much she mean to her. Was this just a game for her? To see if she could bed some random straight girl?
Callie wanted to march to that door and bust it wide open and confront her. But she didn't want Arizona to see how upset she was. She wasn't going to giver her the satisfaction.
This hurt, more than anything. The though of losing Arizona just physically hurt.
Wiping her face free of tears, collecting her self, she walked back out of her apartment and headed straight for Joes.
"Hey Cal, What are you doing here? I thought you were meeting up with your river girl for dinner." Cristina asks, meeting Callie at the entrance of Joes, making her way in with Meredith.
"Yeah well, that's what you get for thanking Yang." Callie spits out, before heading downstairs.
Seeing Callie head straight for the bar, with tear stained cheeks, Joe pulls out a shot glass before she even reaches him, knowing exactly why she was here, he's seen that look before. He hated seeing Callie like this. She was one of his favorites. He just couldn't understand why she has never had a successful relationship.
"The usual Callie?" Joe asked.
"Yeah, and keep 'em coming"
"Bad day?" He asked setting down the glass filling it with the liquor.
"Yea, you could say that." Callie says. Trying to keep her emotions in tact, throwing back the shot of tequila.
"Want to talk about it." Joe asks, filling the glass back up.
Contemplating unloading oh him, she huffs, "what's wrong with me Joe? I mean am I really that bad of a person?" Not giving him a chance to answer she keeps unloading. "Do I really make it that hard for someone to care about me?" Shooting her second shot of tequila back.
"Of course you don't Cal. People should be lining up for you. You've just not found the right one yet." Joe said.
"I.. I just don't know anymore Joe. Maybe I'm suppose to be alone. I feel like I've got nothing left in me. I.. I don't even have clout with god anymore. God doesn't even know
who I am." Callie sighed. "Which sucks because, I could... I could use some help."
"Your an amazing doctor Callie, you save babies, god knows who you are." Joe said, filling Callie's glass again.
"Do you believe in love, Joe?" Callie asked. Running her finger over the rim of her glass.
"Yeah, yea I do. Your persons out there Callie. I truly believe that. You will meet a person one day when you least expect it. They will sweep you off your feet. You'll know that person is the one the minute your eyes meet." Joe said rubbing her arm.
With an exasperated laugh, she replied, "I thought I found that, until today, I felt the spark right off with her. I can't get enough of her. Ya know? She even said that to me. She even said she was falling for me.." Downing another shot. "...I love her Joe, and.. and I wanted to tell her so bad earlier today, but I wouldn't.. Because im stupid and...and scared.. And now.. haha, now.. Look where I am. Drinking my sorrows away because I see her in another women's arms today."
"Did you let her explain?"
"Explain, what is there to explain. I saw it with my own eyes. "Callie huffed, motioning for another refill. "Plus she doesn't know I saw her."
"Talk to her Callie, because in the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take." He says. Patting her on the shoulder, walking to wait on another customer.
Hearing the vibration of her phone, she glances down and sees that Arizona just sent her a text.
Hey baby, I miss you! How much longer do you have to work? - xo Arizona xo
She wanted talk to Arizona, she at least deserved an explanation, but she didn't know if she was ready to hear it. She was afraid of lashing out and saying things she didn't mean. Especially with all the tequila she's consumed. But, if this was the end of the line for them she wanted to just rip the bandage off and get it over with. Hitting reply to Arizona's message…
I've been off for two hours, which you would know that, if you weren't off gallivanting with some other women. - Callie
What are you talking about babe? - xo Arizona xo
A few minutes later another text comes through.
Calliope? What's wrong... Where are you? - xo Arizona xo
Callie didn't replay back to that text either. She wasn't going to do this through texts.
I've been unpacking all day, so please tell me what are you talking about Calliope? - Arizona
That did it, she couldn't hold back any more
No! No. Don't. Don't Calliope me, you lost that right. And you know damn well what I'm talking about Arizona. So fuck off. - Callie
Immediately after Callie sent her last text, her phone began buzzing. Taking a minute to calm herself, before she really exploded, she answered that phone.
"What Arizona?"
"What the hell are you talking about Calliope? I have been in my apartment all day." Arizona questioned.
"Oooh reaalllly?" Callie slurred.
"Yea really!" Arizona shot back. "Ar.. Are you drunk?"
"Really Arizona, it's none of your damn business, but please explain something to me, what is it that I do to people, that makes them treat me like shit? Huh?..."
"I didn't. Calliope I would nev..." Arizona tries to cut her off her off, cut Callie doesn't allow it.
"No.. No, you did you see. I saw you today, after I got off work. Don't try to deny it Arizona. So please tell me. Why the hell did I see you arm in arm with another fucking women two hours ago, walking into her apartment. Huh? Please tell me!"
"Were… were you spying on me? Callie, where are you?" Arizona questioned.
"Yo… you know what, fuck off Arizzzona." Callie slurred, hanging up the phone, in fit of tears at the bar.
Arizona was clueless to what was going on with her girlfriend. She thought they were good, hell great. How did Callie know she was with someone else walking into her apartment. Was Callie spying in her?
Determined to find her girlfriend, even if she had to search every bar establishment in the city. She rushed out her door to the elevator. Arriving at the bottom floor she flew out the door, shoulder checking someone in the process.
"Hey, watch it River Girl, where you off too? And what's up with Callie? She's got a bur or something up her ass." Cristina said.
"What are you doing he... You know what never mind. Where is she?"
"She's next door at Joes, drinking her body weight in tequila. What happened between you two today?" Cristina questioned.
"I don't know Cristina, but I'm about to the bottom of it."
Walking out side, she makes her way to Joes. Busting through the doors, she searches for her girlfriend. Scanning all the tables and booths coming up empty, she finally casts her eyes on the back of Callie's head, seeing her get up from the bar and heading towards the restroom.
Pushing her way through the crowded bar, making her way to the bathroom. Stilling a moment to herself to calm down a bit before she enters. Pushing the door open to the bathroom, walking in and closing and locking the door. Seeing her girlfriend at the sink, wiping her face, she leans against the door.
"So, now would you please tell me what the hells going on?" Arizona asks.
"Go away Arizona, I have nothing else to say to you."
"Nothing to say? Fine I'll talk. Why are you spying on me? Huh? Please tell me?" Arizona yelled.
"Spying? Haha, please." Callie said with shocked tone.
"How else would you know, I was with someone else?"
"Oh so you admit it?"
"Don't Callie. Don't change the subject. Were you following me?"
"Following you? Seriously?" Callie let out an exasperated laugh. Now pacing the floor. "I called you and you didn't answer, obviously too busy! So I was going home to my apartment, the SAME apartment complex I saw you in with your little whore. And apparently by some cruel act of god, she had just moved into the apartment across from me."
"Seriously Callie, stop right now, cause your throwing accusations out that you know nothing about."
"What is it about me, huh?" Callie asked, her voice beginning to break. "I thought... I thought you said we were going somewhere. That.." Callie was now sobbing with her head in her hands. This has happened to her more than once, but it didn't break her, no not the way this was. It's like someone ripping her heart right out of her chest, it felt like watching a family member's life slip away, she felt utterly empty. "...that you said y.. you couldn't get enough of m.. me. "Am I really that ba.. bad if a person to make everyone I.. I'm with cheat on me?"
Seeing her girlfriend break down in font of her was breaking Arizona's heart. She couldn't believe Callie would think all those things. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to run up to her girlfriend and scoop her in her arms and hold her and reassure her. But she was pissed at her accusations. How could Callie think she'd do this. Using all the strength she had in her not to go and comfort Callie, taking a few steps closer, she started to reply "No, I didn..." But she was cut off.
"I thought you were different. I.. I though you were it for me..."
This time, Arizona cut her off. "I wasn't cheating on you Callie. I know what that feels like and I wouldn't put that hurt on anyone." Walking up next to the brunette, placing a hand on her back.
"Oh really Arizona, then please, PLEASE explain it to me" Callie said, stepping away from the blondes touch. "No, you know what... Fuck You Arizona, I don't want to hear it." She had to get away from her, before she gave in. Storming passed the blonde she unlocked the door.
"NO" Arizona yelled. Pushing Callie away from the door. "No you're not going to do this Calliope. I won't let you. You've had your chance to talk, so let me."
Trying but failing to push past Arizona. 'Damn she's stronger than she looks' Callie thought.
"I need to explain. You... you said you cared for me, you said you were falling for me..." At that statement Callie huffed, but Arizona continued. She wasn't going to lose her without a fight.
"...let me explain, don't I deserve that chance? Please Calliope." Arizona said, in tears. "You walk out that door now, that's it. Were done. Over. Even when that stubborn brain of your realizes the truth. So please baby. It's up to you. Let me explain what you saw, or or you can walk out that door and walk out on what could quiet possibly be the best thing that's ever happens to either of us. It's up to you." Arizona finishes, stepping further into the bathroom. Losing all the fight she has left in her. Turning her back to the Callie and the door, she couldn't watch her walk out on her.
Hearing the door open and close, Arizona lost it. She slumped to the floor on her knees in sobs, with her head in her hands. Feeling the love of her life slip away. She knew it was too good to be true.
The opening of the door startled Callie. Giving the interrupting intruder the Torres glare with her red puffy eyes, Meredith immediately exits the door she just entered. Locking the door back quietly, Callie moves toward her broken girlfriend. She couldn't handle seeing Arizona so upset, no matter what was going on between the two.
Walking over to Arizona and kneeling down in front of her. She wrapped her arms around Arizona's body, trying to comfort the hysterical blonde.
Feeling two arms wrap her body, instantly knowing it was Callie. She began to shake with more sobs. Hurt from Callie's angry words, but also relieved that she didn't walk out.
"Shh..." Callie hushed into the blondes ear, rocking her back and forth, trying to calm her down. "... I'm here... Calm down baby... Arizona, your going to make yourself sick... Breathe honey."
Burying her face in Callie's neck, taking in her sweet scent, she tried to collect herself enough to speak.
"I would never do th... that Callie. You did see me go into the apartment with a... a women." Arizona stammered between sobs. "...But it was...wasn't her apartment and she's not a.. a whore." Taking a long pause, soaking up the feel of being in Callie's arms. "It was Teddy, Callie. She's my best friend."
"It was Teddy?" Callie asks, feeling like a complete idiot for assuming Arizona was cheating on her. Feeling the blonde nod her head in the crook of her neck.
"Yea... Yes, I went out to grab dinner, because I've not had the chance to grocery shop yet. I ran into her at the deli. We had dinner and then she offered to help me unpack my things." She said, pulling out of Callie's embrace, and leaned against the cool wall, pulling her knees up to her chest, her sobs turning into silent tears still feeling hurt. "..it seems that I'm the one that moved into the place across from you."
"I'm an idiot." Callie whispered, scooting to set beside Arizona. "I'm sorry. I know.. I know sorry doesn't cut it. I said some horrible things to you." Tears started down Callie's face again. "I.. I don't even know what to say, I'm so ashamed of myself."
"I get it." Arizona said, taking her girlfriends hand between both of hers. "If the roles were reversed and I seen you with some women... I'd go ballistic, but I'm not saying the way you went about it was right. The things you said hurt, Callie."
"I know, and I'm sorry. It's terrible I know, but my first reaction is to hurt back when something like this happens to me. I just want to make that person hurt back as much as I'm hurting.. no one deserves that. It's just.. in the past.." Callie starts, but Arizona cuts her off.
"..Your past no longer exists, Callie. You can't just assume that because it's happened before, that I'm going to do it too." Arizona says, bringing her hand up, wiping her thumb over Callie's tear stained cheek. "...I'm not like the others. I'd never hurt you Calliope, at least not purposely. You have my whole heart."
"I'm so sorry." Callie cried. Bringing her knees up to her chest laying her head on them.
"I know... I know."
After a few silent moments, Arizona let go of her girlfriend hand and began standing up. "I don't know about you, but.. I feel grungy and nasty after setting on this old, dirty bar bathroom floor? So, can we please go home? Get showered and talk about all this now?" Arizona asked, holding out her hand for her girlfriend take.
Accepting her girlfriends hand, Callie stood. The tequila she consumed earlier mixed with the tears, made her stance a little unsteady. "Yeah.. I feel disgusting. " she said placing a hand on the wall, to steady herself. "Let's go, I need to pay my tab." Callie said.
Leaving the bathroom, the two headed to the bar. Five minutes later and fifty dollars poorer, the couple made their way to their apartments. Arizona had her arm around Callie the whole way, giving her some support.
Taking the elevator to the fifth floor both girls exited the car. Walking down the hall, They came upon the flower Callie had dropped earlier. Bending over, Arizona picked it back up and handed it to her girlfriend for the second time today.
"Thank you." Callie said. With a tear forming in the corner of her eye again. "I'm sorry."
"I know." Was all Arizona could say. She wasn't going to tell Callie that it was okay, because the way Callie treated her wasn't okay.
"Why didn't you tell me you lived here?" Arizona asked, walking up to their apartment doors.
"I wanted too. I really did. But, I didn't want to influence your decision. It wasn't fair to you. I wanted you to pick the place you liked." Callie answered in a hushed whisper.
"Thank you. It looks like I made the right choice. Huh." Arizona said with a small smile. "How bout you go and shower at your place, and I'll go shower at mine, and then you can come over and we'll talk. If it's not too late for you? Arizona asked.
With a nod of her head, pulling out her keys to unlock her door. Callie asks, "Are.. umm... are we okay?"
"We will be." Arizona said, placing a kiss on Callie's cheek then walked into her new home, shutting the door behind her.
After dressing in a sleeveless tee and sleep shorts after her nice hot shower, Callie made her way to Arizona's door with a bottle of red and white wine in hand. Not knowing which Arizona would prefer.
Hearing a soft knock Arizona threw her sleep shirt over her damp head. Pulling her hair up with a hair tie, she walked over to her door and peaked through the peep hole. Opening the door for her girlfriend.
"Hi."
"Hi. Come in." Arizona waved.
"I brought wine. Red.. and White. I wasn't sure which one you would prefer." Callie said, feeling slightly shy. Walking up to Arizona's counter placing the bottles down.
"I'd love some white. Thanks." Arizona said, pulling two wine glasses down from the glass rack she placed them in earlier in the day. Holding out the glasses for Callie to pour their drinks. "So, I was thinking we could go out on the balcony. If.. you want to? It's a beautiful night, we may be able to see some stars."
"Yeah, that sounds perfect..." Callie answered with a smile. Thinking back to the nights they shared at the river. It kind of became their thing. Everything seemed to fad away when laying on a blanket underneath the stars with Arizona. "wait.. You have a balcony?" Callie said, looking to the right, "I'm so jealous."
"Don't be, you can use it any time you please." Arizona said, with a laugh, trying to break the small tension in the room, handing Callie her glass of wine.
"We'll have to sit on a blanket, I don't have outside furniture for it yet. I really need to make a list of things I need to pick up. This place is so much bigger and nicer than my old place." Arizona said, pulling a blanket out one of her moving boxes.
"Wow, this place really is amazing, it looks completely different. They did such a good job remodeling. It makes mine look like a dump." Callie said laughing. Finally taking the chance to look around the apartment. The walls were white, with charcoal wood flooring, beautiful Charcoal Cabinets and white granite counter tops. The living room area was twice the size of Callie's with the floor to ceiling sliding glass windows on the right, looking out into the Seattle skyline on the. "Absolutely beautiful. I love it Arizona. This place has to be outrageous, how did you afford it." Realizing she was being to nosy. "Sorry, don't answer that, it's none of my business. Its beautiful." Callie said looking over to Arizona. "Just like you."
"Thank you, Calliope. Its okay, uh, when Tim died, he left everything he had to me. He was a big saver, didn't like to spend a dime." Arizona said with a small laugh. Thinking about Tim and his money hording habits. "He had been saving since his teenage years, and then with his practice and all, he had a good chunk put up in savings. I.. uh.. didn't really touch it, until now. Well.. technically still haven't touched it really, I got this place with the interest his mone.. well my money drawls, and I never have been the one to spend money on myself besides splurging no my Jeep Wrangler. I just figured with this new start in the city, it was time to start thinking about myself and what I want for a chance, you know."
"You deserve it." Callie said, holding out her hand for Arizona to take, she lead them out onto the balcony. Handing her wine glass back to Arizona, and taking the blanket her girlfriend was holding, she spread it out for them to sit on.
Sitting down on the blanket, she grabbed both their wine glasses from the blonde, patting the blanket, motioning for the blonde to sit beside her.
"So…" Callie said, not knowing where to start.
"So..."
"I know, what I did was wrong. You didn't deserve that, and I know apologizing and saying sorry doesn't really cut it." Callie said, playing with her wine glass. "There is nothing I can really say, to take back what I did and said to you. All I know to do is show it and I will.. I'll show you how sorry I really am Arizona. You deserve to be treated with love and respect, like you show me. I'm just.. It's not easy for me to do, because well like I said, I've never really been shown it in the past, and I know you said that's what it is.. it's the past. I.. I want to treat you like the queen that you really are. I can't.. I can't lose you baby. You're everything I've always wanted."
"I can't lose you either baby, and you're every thing I've always wanted too. And you do treat me like a queen Calliope. You really do. I've not felt like this since Tim died, and you're the reason Calliope." Arizona said, cupping Callie's face. ".. and tonight.. we shouldn't have blow up on each other like that. I think we're are both at fault tonight. I mean, I yelled right back at you. All I ask from now on, is that when something else comes up, we give each other the chance to talk without the yelling and accusations. You have to trust me though, Calliope because if we don't have trust, we don't have anything." Arizona finished.
"I know. It's just hard for me to trust people, and I wanna trust you, but I don't know if I do. So I'm just gonna try, I'm gonna try and trust you." Callie said.
"That's all I ask. " Arizona said. Leaning in to really kiss her girlfriend for the first time since her hospital visit earlier in the day. "And please baby, when something is bothering you, just come to me. You can always talk to me, okay?"
"Okay." Callie shyly said, leaning in for a quick kiss on pink lips. "..and I want you to feel like you can talk to me too."
"I do."
"Lay with me?" Callie asked placing her glass to the side, and scooting down the cover and lying back. "I love being in your arms under the stars."
Smiling, she laid down, resting her head on her girlfriends chest. Wrapping her arm over Callie's midsection. "I love it too baby." Arizona said, in reality she really wanted to say I love you.
"Ohh Calliope look, a shooting star." Arizona gasped leaning in to kiss her girlfriend passionately.
"I seen it, baby. I hope you made a wish."
"Oh, you know it." Arizona purred.
After a while of laying in silence, soaking up being in each others arms after a long exhausting day, Callie whispered. "Arizona?"
"Hmm.."
"Will you go on a date with me Saturday?" Callie asked.
Leaning up on her elbow, looking into Callie's eyes, she said. "I'll think about it." With a wink, she laid back down burying herself into Callie.
AN2: WOW, guys, I never expected this story to honestly go no further than to chapter 10 or maybe 12. and 12 was pushing it... but were at the end of 8 and there journey hasn't even really started yet.. this could be a long fic... time will tell. I have so much I'd like to see happen... what would you like to see happen?
on with this chapter... GOOD? Bad? I wasn't sure about the talk at the end.. but.. it is what it is... What do you think?
Everything seems to be working out now.. right? Whose ready for date night? I know I am... What does Callie have planned? Lets hear your thoughts.
I chapter 9 is almost finished, I will be posting it on Monday sometime... I'm going to try to post 2 chapters a week, I'm looking at Mondays and Fridays, as long as work doesn't get to hectic...(I tend to do most of my writing at work ;) )... and at times it tends to and I have to travel a lot at times.. but right now.. it looks like its going to be an easy month.. so... until next time.